Container

ABSTRACT

Provided is a container for supporting a cylinder-shaped cleaning wipe container. The container includes an opened first end and a closed second end, and a lid at the first end. The container also includes a two-tiered shelf disposed in a cavity of the container at the second end, the two-tiered shelf configured to support cleaning wipe containers of two different diameters.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally containers, and moreparticularly to containers for housing disinfectant wipe containers.

BACKGROUND

Disinfectant wipes are used to clean and sanitize various surfaces.Often, disinfectant wipes are sold and packaged in plasticcylinder-shaped containers and/or packages. The plastic containers maybe used to store and dispense the disinfectant wipes.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present application provides a container for storing and dispensingdisinfectant wipes. The container can include a body having an openfirst end, a closed second end, and defining a cavity therebetween, alid configured to attach to the body at the first end, and a shelfdisposed in the cavity and extending from the second end, the shelfhaving a first tier having a first diameter for supporting a firstcylinder and a second tier having a second diameter greater than thefirst tier for supporting a second cylinder. The container can beconfigured to accept containers of disinfectant wipes of at least twosizes.

According to an aspect, the first tier includes a first base and a firstwall projecting upward from a periphery of the base towards the firstend, and wherein the second tier includes a second base and a secondwall projecting upward from a periphery of the second base towards thefirst end.

According to another aspect, the second base extends radially outwardlyfrom a top of the first wall.

According to another aspect, the second wall is radially inwardly spacedfrom an inner surface of the body to form a circumferential gap betweenthe second wall and the inner surface.

According to another aspect, the lid further includes a collar portioncoupled to the first end of the body, and a top portion coupled to thecollar portion at a hinge, wherein the top portion pivots at the hingebetween a closed position and an opened position.

According to another aspect, the lid further includes a lid spring, thelid spring configured to bias the lid in the opened position.

According to another aspect, the container further includes a pushbutton configured to release the lid from the closed position when thepush button is pressed in a first direction, the lid spring rotating thelid to the opened position when the lid is released.

According to another aspect, the push button is biased in a seconddirection with a push button spring, the second direction the oppositeof the first direction.

According to another aspect, the container further comprises a non-slipring disposed in a groove on an underside of the container at the secondend, the non-slip ring configured to engage a surface to mitigatelateral movement of the container respective the surface.

According to another aspect, the lid further includes a seal groove onthe collar that receives a seal, and a circular protrusion on the topportion that seats against the seal to seal the lid when in the closedposition.

According to another aspect, the container further includes a retainingportion located proximate the first end configured to retain at least aportion of a least one cleaning wipe in a position proximate the firstend of the body.

The foregoing and other features of the application are described belowwith reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary container forcleaning wipes.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the container.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the container with the lid in anopened position.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the container with the lid in anopened position.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the container.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the container.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the container.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the container.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the container taken from line 9-9 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the container taken from line 9-9of FIG. 2 showing a cylinder of a first size placed in the container.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the container taken from line 9-9of FIG. 2 showing a cylinder of a second size placed in the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning initially to FIG. 1, an exemplary container 10 for storing anddispensing cleaning wipes is illustrated. The container 10 includes abody 12 having an opened first end 14 (FIG. 9) and a closed second end16 opposite the first end 14 and a lid 18 configured to attach to thebody 12 at the first end 14. The body 12 defines a cavity 56 (FIG. 9)between the first and the second ends 14 and 16 for receiving anothercontainer, such as a cleaning wipe container for storage and/ordispensing of cleaning wipes through the lid 18 when the lid 18 isopened.

Turning additionally to FIGS. 2-4, the lid 18 includes a collar portion20, a top portion 22, and a hinge 24 connected to the collar portion 20and top portion 22. The collar portion 20 can be attached to the firstend 14 of the body 12 in a suitable manner, such as via a threadedconnection. The top portion 20 can be pivotally coupled to the collarportion 22 at the hinge 24 such that the top portion 20 may pivotbetween a closed position and an opened position. The lid 18 can form aseal when in the closed position and can provide an opening fordispensing wipes when in the opened position. For example, the collar 22includes a seal groove 26 that receives a suitable seal 28 to which acircular protrusion 42 on the top portion 22 seats against to seal thelid 18. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the lid 18 in a closed position, andFIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the lid 18 in an opened position.

The collar portion 20 defines an opening through which objects exit thecontainer 10. As shown, the opening includes a main opening 30 andretaining slot 32. The retaining slot 32 can be substantially T-shapedand formed from abutting edges of projections 34 and 36 that projectinwardly from the seal groove 26 of the collar 20. The retaining slot 32can be configured to retain a portion of a cleaning wipe for easy accessby a user. For example, a user can open the lid 18 and retrieve acleaning wipe held in place by retaining slot 32.

The collar portion 20 also includes a recess that receives a push button44 having a tab 38 with a catch that engages a ledge 40 of the topportion 22 of the lid 38 when the lid 18 is in the closed position. Thetab 38 engages the ledge 40 to hold the protrusion 42 against the seal28 to seal the top portion 22 to the collar 20. The push button 44 isconfigured to release tab 38 from the ledge 40 when the push button 44is pressed in a first direction. When the push button 44 is pressed inthe first direction, the tab 38 disengages with the ledge 40, allowingthe top portion 22 of the lid 18 to rotate to the opened position fromthe spring action of the hinge 24.

The lid 18 can include a gasket between the collar 20 and the first end14 to improve a seal between the lid 18 and the first end 14 of thecontainer 10. It should be appreciated that gaskets can be usedaccording to sound engineering judgment to improve a seal (e.g., form anair tight seal) in various locations of the container 10 to seal thecontainer 10 from open air and elements to achieve a longer shelf lifefor wipes within the container 10.

Turning additionally to FIG. 9, the container 10 includes threading 50at the first end 14 and the collar 20 includes corresponding grooves 52to engage the threading 50 of the container 10 to attach the collar 20to the first end 14 of the container 10. It should be appreciated,however, that the collar 20 can be removably attached to the first end14 in any suitable manner, such as a pressure fit, snap fit, adhesive,latches, or the like.

The lid 18 further includes a first biasing spring 54 located betweenthe push button 44 and a surface 58 of the collar 20 that is configuredto bias the push button 44 in a second direction 82, and a secondbiasing spring 84 located proximate the hinge 24 that biases the topportion 22 of the lid 18 in the opened position. Biasing the push button44 in the second direction 82 causes the tab 38 to engage with the ledge40 of the top portion 22. In this manner, the circular protrusion 42 isheld against the seal 28 when the lid 18 is in the closed position.

In an example, when the lid 18 is in the closed position, a user canopen the lid 18 by pressing the push button 44 in the first direction80. When the user presses the push button 44, the push button 44 and thetab 38 move in the first direction, and the tab 38 disengages with theledge 40 of the top portion 22. When the tab 38 disengages with theledge 40, the top portion 22 can be freely pivoted to the openedposition by the second biasing spring 84 to allow a user to retrieve acleaning wipe from the cavity 56 of the container 10. It should beappreciated that the second biasing spring 84 can also keep the lid 18in the opened position for ease of use. When a user is done using thecontainer 10, the user can pivot the lid 18 to the closed position toengage the tab 38 with the ledge 40 to ensure that the lid 18 forms aseal and remains in the closed position. It should also be appreciatedthat the second biasing spring 84 can allow a user to open the lid 18 ofthe container 10 with a single push of the push button 44.

The container 10 also includes a non-slip ring 90 disposed in a groove92 on the second end 16 of the container 10. The non-slip ring 90 canhelp mitigate translational movement of the container 10 with respect toa surface on which the container is located. Translational movement canbe mitigated, for example, by increasing the frictional forces betweenthe container 10 and the surface. In this respect, the material can bechosen from a non-slip material such as, but not limited to, silicone,rubber, cork, neoprene, foam, or the like.

The container 10 further includes a shelf 60 disposed in the cavity 56and extending from the second end 16 toward the first end. The shelf 60includes a first tier 62 and a second tier 64. The first tier 62includes a surface 66 and extends to outer peripherals of wall 68 thatserve to center a container. The second tier 64 includes a ledge 70 andextends to outer peripherals of a wall 72 that serve to center acontainer. The first tier 62 is configured to support a first containerof cleaning wipes and the second tier 64 is configured to support asecond container of cleaning wipes. In an example, the first containercan be a cylinder having a first diameter and the second container canbe a cylinder of a second diameter that is larger than the firstdiameter. In an embodiment, the surface 66 may be formed from the bottomof the container 10 or by a separate component integral with or separatefrom the container 10.

Turning now to FIG. 10, illustrated in broken line is a first containerof cleaning wipes 100 positioned within the container 10. The container100 has a diameter 120, an opened first end 114, and a closed second end116. In an example, the container 100 can be a packaging container fordisinfectant or cleaning wipes with its top removed. For example, a usermay retrieve a cleaning wipe from the container 100 through an openingin the container 100 proximate the first end 114. The opening proximatethe first end 114 can be accessible by a user through the main opening30 of container 10. In this manner, a user can access cleaning wipesfrom the container 100 when the container 100 is positioned in thecontainer 10.

In an example, the first tier 62 can be configured such that thediameter of the first tier 62 is a suitable size to accommodate thediameter 120 of the container 100. The second end 116 of the container100 may be supported by the surface 66, and can allow the container 100to abut the wall 68. The container 100 can abut the wall 68 or can belocated adjacent to wall 68 without making contact. The first tier 62can be configured to support the container 100 such that the container100 does not move within the container 10 or moves minimally. It shouldbe appreciated that the size and dimensions of the first tier 62 can beconfigured according to sound engineering judgment to achieve a desiredinteraction between the container 100 and the container 10.

Turning now to FIG. 11, illustrated in broken line is a second container200 positioned within the container 10. Similar to the container 100,the container 200 has a diameter 220, an opened first end 214, and aclosed second end 216. The container 200 can be similar to the container100 in all aspects except a diameter 220 of the container 200 is largerthan diameter 120 of container 100.

In an example, the second tier 64 can be configured such that thediameter of the second tier 64 is a suitable size to accommodate thediameter 220 of the container 200. The second end 216 of the container200 can be supported by the ledge 70, and the container 200 can abut thewall 72. The container 200 can abut the wall 72 or can be locatedadjacent to the wall 72 without making contact. The second tier 64 canbe configured to support the container 200 such that the container 200does not move within the container 10 or moves minimally. It should beappreciated that the size and dimensions of the second tier 64 can beconfigured according to sound engineering judgment to achieve a desiredinteraction between the container 200 and the container 10.

In example embodiment, the container 10 can be configured toaccept/support the first the container 100 or the second container 200of cleaning wipes. In this embodiment, the container 10 can store acleaning wipe container and may allow a user to retrieve cleaning wipesfrom within the container when desired. It should be appreciated thatwhile the container 10 can be configured to accept/support the firstcontainer 100 or the second container 200, only one container may beinserted at a given time. For example, a user may decide to place thefirst container 100 into container 10 and may use the container 10 inthis manner until desired. The user may then decide to remove the firstcontainer 100 and insert the second container 200, having a largerdiameter than the first container 100. The user may use the container 10in this manner until desired.

In an example, the first container 100 or the second container 200 canbe inserted or removed from the cavity 56 of the container 10 byremoving the lid 18 from the container 10. When the lid 18 is removed, auser can access the opened first end 14 of the container 10 allowing auser to insert or retrieve a cleaning wipe container (e.g., container100 or 200) from the cavity 56 of the container 10. It should beappreciated that removing the lid 18 can allow ease of access to thecavity 56, but may not be required in all instances. For example, incertain embodiments, the container 100 or 200 may be removed or insertedthrough the main opening 30 by placing the lid 18 in the openedposition.

It should be appreciated that while certain embodiments of the container10 are configured to accept/support the first container 100 or thesecond container 200, various sizes of containers can be installed ifthe containers have either a first or the second diameter. For example,a container of the first diameter may be any height so long as theheight of the container does not exceed the interior height of thecontainer 10. Likewise, a container of the second diameter may be anyheight not exceeding the interior height limits of the container 10. Incertain embodiments, the container 10 may be configured such that theheight of the container 10 is configured according to a height of acontainer of cleaning wipes.

In another embodiment, a container can be provided to include a tieredshelf having more than two tiers. In this manner, the container can beconfigured to accept/support cleaning wipe container of more than twodifferent diameters. For example, a container can have a shelf having afirst tier, a second tier, and a third tier. The first tier can beconfigured to accept a container of a first diameter, the second can beconfigured to accept a container of a second diameter, and the third canbe configured to accept a container of a third diameter. In this examplethe third diameter is larger than the second diameter, and the seconddiameter is larger than the first diameter.

It should be appreciated that, the container 10, including the body 12and the lid 18, can be a cylinder corresponding to a cylinder-shapedcleaning wipe container. In this manner, the cleaning wipe packing canbe installed into the cavity 56 of the container 10. In otherembodiments, however, containers can be configured to accept/supportcleaning wipe containers or containers of shapes other than cylinders.For example, the container and/or tiered shelf can be configured to be asquare or a pentagon. It should be appreciated that the shape, size, andconfiguration of the container can be configured according to the shapeand size of respective cleaning wipe container.

Although certain embodiments have been shown and described, it isunderstood that equivalents and modifications falling within the scopeof the appended claims will occur to others who are skilled in the artupon the reading and understanding of this specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container comprising: a body having an openfirst end, a closed second end, and defining a cavity therebetween; alid configured to attach to the body at the first end; and a shelfdisposed in the cavity and extending from the second end, the shelfhaving a first tier having a first diameter for supporting a firstcylinder and a second tier having a second diameter greater than thefirst tier for supporting a second cylinder.
 2. The container of claim1, wherein the first tier includes a first base and a first wallprojecting upward from a periphery of the base towards the first end,and wherein the second tier includes a second base and a second wallprojecting upward from a periphery of the second base towards the firstend.
 3. The container of claim 2, wherein the second base extendsradially outward from a top of the first wall.
 4. The container of claim2, wherein the second wall is radially inwardly spaced from an innersurface of the body to form a circumferential gap between the secondwall and the inner surface.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the lidfurther includes a collar portion coupled to the first end of the body,and a top portion coupled to the collar portion at a hinge, wherein thetop portion pivots at the hinge between a closed position and an openedposition.
 6. The container of claim 5, wherein the lid further includesa lid spring, the lid spring configured to bias the lid in the openedposition.
 7. The container of claim 6, further comprising a push buttonconfigured to release the lid from the closed position when the pushbutton is pressed in a first direction, the lid spring rotating the lidto the opened position when the lid is released.
 8. The container ofclaim 7, wherein the push button is biased in a second direction with apush button spring, the second direction the opposite of the firstdirection.
 9. The container of claim 1, further comprising a non-slipring disposed in a groove on an underside of the container at the secondend, the non-slip ring configured to engage a surface to mitigatelateral movement of the container respective the surface.
 10. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the lid further includes a seal groove onthe collar that receives a seal, and a circular protrusion on the topportion that seats against the seal to seal the lid when in the closedposition.
 11. The container of claim 1, further comprising a retainingportion located proximate the first end configured to retain at least aportion of a least one cleaning wipe in a position proximate the firstend of the body.
 12. A container for storing a wipe container, thecontainer comprising: a body having an open first end, a closed secondend, and defining a cavity therebetween; a lid configured to attach tothe body at the first end; and a shelf disposed in the cavity andextending from the second end toward the first end, the shelf having afirst tier including a first base and a first wall projecting upwardfrom a periphery of the first base towards the first end, a second tierincluding a second base and a second wall projection upward from aperiphery of the second base towards the first end, and legs spacing thefirst and second tiers from the second end.
 13. The container of claim12, wherein the first tier has a first diameter for supporting a firstcylinder and the second tier has a second diameter greater than thefirst tier for supporting a second cylinder.
 14. The container of claim12, wherein the second base extends radially outward from a top of thefirst wall, and the second wall is radially inwardly spaced from aninner surface of the body to form a circumferential gap between thesecond wall and the inner surface.
 15. The container of claim 12,wherein the lid further includes a collar portion coupled to the firstend of the body, and a top portion coupled to the collar portion at ahinge, wherein the top portion pivots at the hinge between a closedposition and an opened position.
 16. The container of claim 15, whereinthe lid further includes a lid spring, the lid spring configured to biasthe lid in the opened position.
 17. The container of claim 16, furthercomprising a push button configured to release the lid from the closedposition when the push button is pressed in a first direction, the lidspring rotating the lid to the opened position when the lid is released,and wherein the push button is biased in a second direction with a pushbutton spring, the second direction the opposite of the first direction.18. The container of claim 12, further comprising a non-slip ringdisposed in a groove on an underside of the container at the second end,the non-slip ring configured to engage a surface to mitigate lateralmovement of the container respective the surface.
 19. The container ofclaim 12, wherein the lid further includes a seal groove on the collarthat receives a seal, and a circular protrusion on the top portion thatseats against the seal to seal the lid when in the closed position. 20.A container comprising: a body having an open first end, a closed secondend, and defining a cavity therebetween; a lid configured to attach tothe body at the first end, wherein the lid includes a collar portioncoupled to the first end of the body, and a top portion coupled to thecollar portion at a hinge, wherein the top portion pivots at the hingebetween a closed position and an opened position; and a shelf disposedin the cavity and extending from the second end, the shelf having afirst tier having a first diameter for supporting a first cylinder and asecond tier having a second diameter greater than the first tier forsupporting a second cylinder, wherein the first tier includes a firstbase and a first wall projecting upward from a periphery of the basetowards the first end, and wherein the second tier includes a secondbase and a second wall projecting upward from a periphery of the secondbase towards the first end.